funchick
06-05-2003, 10:53 AM
Hello again to all.
Is anyone else taking NEURONTIN? Can anyone tell me what to expect....side effects, results, or whateveryou can share would be helpful. Also, does anyone know what the standard dose is?
Thanks-ya'll are the best!
Is anyone else taking NEURONTIN? Can anyone tell me what to expect....side effects, results, or whateveryou can share would be helpful. Also, does anyone know what the standard dose is?
Thanks-ya'll are the best!
Sponsor
KeithEugeneW
06-05-2003, 01:38 PM
Hi Funchick, (Got to love that username)
You didn't used to go by PT Chick previously and know a guy named Bruce (BWL) did you? Pardon my poor attempt at some inside humor for the board members here... :D
I just replied to your other thread on this topic, it should answer what you were looking for (most of it). As far as dosage, they started me at 100mg 3 times daily or 8 days, then 200mg 3 times daily for 8 days, etc until I was at 400mg 3 times daily (1200mg/day). I was at that level for about 4 months and then my pain started coming back along with migraines, so they shot me up to 1600mg daily, which didn't do it, so they went to 2000mg daily. That did it, but man did I feel like a zombie! I finally cried Uncle and now I'm on Topamax and Ultracet instead. I was supposed to take one 25mg Topamax at night for a week, then add one more pill the following week, etc until I was taking 4 pills a night. I decided to stick with one pill. I was also supposed to take one 325mg Ultracet pill 4 times daily. I only take them when I need them instead. I see my new pain mgmt doctor tomorrow to discuss where I am now and get his feel on things. I know I feel better in general than I did (energy wise), although my pain level is up a bit. I hope you get relief and feel better!!
Keith
You didn't used to go by PT Chick previously and know a guy named Bruce (BWL) did you? Pardon my poor attempt at some inside humor for the board members here... :D
I just replied to your other thread on this topic, it should answer what you were looking for (most of it). As far as dosage, they started me at 100mg 3 times daily or 8 days, then 200mg 3 times daily for 8 days, etc until I was at 400mg 3 times daily (1200mg/day). I was at that level for about 4 months and then my pain started coming back along with migraines, so they shot me up to 1600mg daily, which didn't do it, so they went to 2000mg daily. That did it, but man did I feel like a zombie! I finally cried Uncle and now I'm on Topamax and Ultracet instead. I was supposed to take one 25mg Topamax at night for a week, then add one more pill the following week, etc until I was taking 4 pills a night. I decided to stick with one pill. I was also supposed to take one 325mg Ultracet pill 4 times daily. I only take them when I need them instead. I see my new pain mgmt doctor tomorrow to discuss where I am now and get his feel on things. I know I feel better in general than I did (energy wise), although my pain level is up a bit. I hope you get relief and feel better!!
Keith
franjo
06-05-2003, 01:55 PM
FunChick~
I was taking Neurontin for a short, two week stint. I didn't like the way it made me feel....underwater and, like Keith said, zombie-like. But I didn't really give my body much of a chance to adjust. They say that you do adjust to those affects over time.
I also stopped taking it because my bad pain is not constant. I needed something more geared to intermittent pain. The neurontin did help with my spasms, but didn't touch the pain. I have a small son to care for, and under the side effects, I felt I didn't have the edge that I needed to watch him effectively.
Neurontin works great for a lot of people, I just wasn't one of them. This drug requires that you be weaned on and off of it. Too much too soon will put the whammy on you. So follow the doctor's dosages and times carefully. I hope this is what works for you. Just be prepared to feel a little "out of sorts" at first.
Take Care,
~Teri
I was taking Neurontin for a short, two week stint. I didn't like the way it made me feel....underwater and, like Keith said, zombie-like. But I didn't really give my body much of a chance to adjust. They say that you do adjust to those affects over time.
I also stopped taking it because my bad pain is not constant. I needed something more geared to intermittent pain. The neurontin did help with my spasms, but didn't touch the pain. I have a small son to care for, and under the side effects, I felt I didn't have the edge that I needed to watch him effectively.
Neurontin works great for a lot of people, I just wasn't one of them. This drug requires that you be weaned on and off of it. Too much too soon will put the whammy on you. So follow the doctor's dosages and times carefully. I hope this is what works for you. Just be prepared to feel a little "out of sorts" at first.
Take Care,
~Teri
magtize
06-05-2003, 02:22 PM
Funchick
I too am on Neurontin 300 mg.PM STARTED ME WITH 2 CAPS A DAY It made me so dizzy couldn't stand up, needed to hold on to something to walk. Was also told it take time to get used to it but after a week of being a very dizzy zombie I called Dr and he changed it to once a day
I have also read that it wasn't as effective on cervies.Guess everyone is differant.
Hope you do well with yours
Elaine
I too am on Neurontin 300 mg.PM STARTED ME WITH 2 CAPS A DAY It made me so dizzy couldn't stand up, needed to hold on to something to walk. Was also told it take time to get used to it but after a week of being a very dizzy zombie I called Dr and he changed it to once a day
I have also read that it wasn't as effective on cervies.Guess everyone is differant.
Hope you do well with yours
Elaine
melanie dawn
06-05-2003, 02:29 PM
Hi Funchick,
Well I tried the neurontin, it was a no go for me. Dizzy, thick headed and disoriented on it. However the Docs at CINN told me that for an unknown reason, cervies do not tolerate neurontin well and have the most side effects from it. They suggested Topamax there, but no go, I have a sulpha allergy. They put me on Tegretol, similar drug class , anti siezure drug. Unfortunatly, i got really dizzy on that also. My best advice is to take it as ordered, do not drive etc, until you are sure how it will affect you.ANd let you Dr. know how you are doing on it.You probably need to give it a chance for a week or so to know. Unless the side effects are severe. We all react a little differently.
Good luck , I hope it works for you. For people who can take it , it seems to provide alot of relief.
Mel
Well I tried the neurontin, it was a no go for me. Dizzy, thick headed and disoriented on it. However the Docs at CINN told me that for an unknown reason, cervies do not tolerate neurontin well and have the most side effects from it. They suggested Topamax there, but no go, I have a sulpha allergy. They put me on Tegretol, similar drug class , anti siezure drug. Unfortunatly, i got really dizzy on that also. My best advice is to take it as ordered, do not drive etc, until you are sure how it will affect you.ANd let you Dr. know how you are doing on it.You probably need to give it a chance for a week or so to know. Unless the side effects are severe. We all react a little differently.
Good luck , I hope it works for you. For people who can take it , it seems to provide alot of relief.
Mel
funchick
06-05-2003, 03:24 PM
Thanks. You all have been helpful.
I just started taking it yesterday, and he has me taking 300mg. 3X/day. I know that none of us are docs (that I know of), but to me that seems like a lot to start on. what do you think?
I just started taking it yesterday, and he has me taking 300mg. 3X/day. I know that none of us are docs (that I know of), but to me that seems like a lot to start on. what do you think?
KeithEugeneW
06-05-2003, 07:35 PM
I'd say that's a pretty hefty dose to start right off with. I'm surprised you're awake! I found that as they stepped me up from 300 to 1200mg per day over a month, that each time I went up a level, I was really wacked out for about 3 or 4 days, then it settled down to more of a general foggy feeling. I remember the very first pill I took, I was asleep in an hour. If you haven't been affected that way by the dosage you are taking, then your body may be accepting it better than many of us did. Most importantly, is it helping you with your pain?
Keith
Keith
Memer
06-06-2003, 10:23 AM
Hi Fun,
I take Neurontin but only 900 mg a day. I don't have any bad side effects. I do forget things easily, like going from one room to another and then having to go back where I started to remember what I was doing. Of course, that did happen before Neurontin (I think we all do that), but now it seems a little worse. I can live with it, though.
I plan to stay on it for six months (doc's recommendation) and then get off and see what happens. I wouldn't want to get off of it now for fear that the pain would intensify.
p.s. My increased forgetfulness may not be due to the Neurontin at all. It could be a combination of things or just what comes with age :round: . Like I said, though, it's not that big of a problem. I didn't even tell NS.
[This message has been edited by Memer (edited 08-05-2003).]
I take Neurontin but only 900 mg a day. I don't have any bad side effects. I do forget things easily, like going from one room to another and then having to go back where I started to remember what I was doing. Of course, that did happen before Neurontin (I think we all do that), but now it seems a little worse. I can live with it, though.
I plan to stay on it for six months (doc's recommendation) and then get off and see what happens. I wouldn't want to get off of it now for fear that the pain would intensify.
p.s. My increased forgetfulness may not be due to the Neurontin at all. It could be a combination of things or just what comes with age :round: . Like I said, though, it's not that big of a problem. I didn't even tell NS.
[This message has been edited by Memer (edited 08-05-2003).]
TropicalFox
06-06-2003, 09:34 PM
hi there!
i had no idea that neurontin was used for pain... my daughter (10) has ADHD and takes 2 Concerta pills (18 mgs. each) in the morning, and 1 or 2 neurontin pills (100 mgs. each) before going to bed for her ODD... it works very well for her thank God!
hugs http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love2.gif
sandra
------------------
" In the middle of every ocean of difficulty is an island of opportunity."
Author Unknown
i had no idea that neurontin was used for pain... my daughter (10) has ADHD and takes 2 Concerta pills (18 mgs. each) in the morning, and 1 or 2 neurontin pills (100 mgs. each) before going to bed for her ODD... it works very well for her thank God!
hugs http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love2.gif
sandra
------------------
" In the middle of every ocean of difficulty is an island of opportunity."
Author Unknown
KeithEugeneW
06-07-2003, 02:48 PM
Hi Sandra,
From what I understand Neurontin was originally developed for controlling seizures, and they discovered it also worked well for controlling nerve pain. Also from what I hear, depending upon what it is being used for, it has different or no side effects. I'm glad it works well for your daughter. My nephew suffers from seizures and has been on various medications since he was just a small child, but hasn't been on neurontin so far. The one he's on now (I can't remember which one) seems to work well, but they have had to adjust the dosage a few times to balance it right.
Keith
From what I understand Neurontin was originally developed for controlling seizures, and they discovered it also worked well for controlling nerve pain. Also from what I hear, depending upon what it is being used for, it has different or no side effects. I'm glad it works well for your daughter. My nephew suffers from seizures and has been on various medications since he was just a small child, but hasn't been on neurontin so far. The one he's on now (I can't remember which one) seems to work well, but they have had to adjust the dosage a few times to balance it right.
Keith
Merci
06-07-2003, 03:28 PM
my mate takes 300 mg a day and at first felt a little disoreinted and dizzy, but adjusted quickly. it greatly helped the nerve pain he is/was having assiociated with a bone graft taken from his hip to be used in spinal fusions. the pain was very severe and nothing else touched it. 300 mil 3x a day seems a hugh dosage to start off. are you sure you got the directions correctly? maybe should check w/ your dr and pharmacist. i hear you should get off of it very slowly or you will suffer withdrawals. good luck to you.